Letter To The Editor Feb. 4: Optimist Club very active

I am replying to your Jan. 13 editorial regarding dwindling service club memberships. Forty-one years ago, when West Bloomfield Township was a one traffic light semi-rural community, a group of 40 civic minded friends of mine formed the Optimist Club of West Bloomfield. We were sponsored by the Optimist Club of Birmingham and admired the civic works of the Pontiac Optimist Club.

Despite the recent trends you wrote about, I'm proud to report that our club has grown to 96 members, most of whom are very active upholding the Optimist Creed and honoring Optimist International's purpose of being "Friend of Youth."

Some of our many activities we undertake -- with personal involvement and not just cash -- include annual oratorical contests, essay contests, respect for police and fire first responders, bike safety programs, and a holiday party where we entertain more than 250 kids each year for lunch, an experience with Santa Claus and bags of beautifully gift wrapped, age-appropriate gifts. In addition, our membership pairs up to anonymously visit families who need help and cash gifts for the holidays and other treats.

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While some service clubs are facing dwindling memberships, the Optimist Club of West Bloomfield is alive, well, engaged in the community and bursting with energy to help others. In fact, we just officially organized and chartered a Junior Optimist Club at West Bloomfield High School, our first such undertaking.

I am proud to have served our club as its first president and, along with several other charter members, continue to enjoy being involved in being a Friend of Youth.

All service clubs stand for important values, and their members enjoy the satisfaction that comes from being involved in their communities. Hopefully, your editorial will invigorate them with new vitality and the knowledge that their involvement means something to others.